Massive Tsunami Threatening Alaska, Hawaii, and the US West Coast

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Researchers monitoring the most perilous fault lines in the United States are issuing a new alert — a massive tsunami event in the Pacific is no longer a matter of if, but rather when it will occur. The Cascadia Subduction Zone, located off the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and northern California, has experienced over 320 years without a significant rupture, with magnitude 9 earthquakes happening every 250 to 500 years. When it finally occurs, waves exceeding 100 feet could reach US coastal communities in just 20 minutes. The hazards are compounded by Alaska's Barry Arm fjord and Hawaii's exposure to the Pacific. Here’s what every coastal resident in America should be aware of.

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00:00scientists tracking america's most dangerous fault lines are sounding a fresh warning this month a megatsunami event in the pacific

00:07is no longer a question of if but when the cascadia subduction zone running seven hundred miles off the coasts

00:15of oregon washington and northern california

00:17has gone more than 320 years without a major rupture long-term geological records show it produces magnitude nine earthquakes

00:26roughly every 250 to 500 years when it goes scientists say it could send waves topping 100 feet into towns

00:34from crescent city california to seaside oregon with a window of less than 20 minutes to reach high ground alaska

00:42faces a separate growing danger a thawing mountainside above barry armfjord could collapse

00:47without warning sending a wave estimated up to one thousand feet high toward cruise ship lanes hawaii meanwhile sits exposed

00:56to distant ocean-wide tsunamis from across the pacific ring of fire three states one pacific ocean and a clock

01:04that geologists warn is already ticking

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